Autism diagnosis for adults

Diagnostic pathway

In order to benefit from autism diagnosis, you need to:

1. Have a psychological consultation with the specialist with whom we plan to perform the diagnosis.
2. After the psychological consultation, the patient should perform a diagnosis of intellect.
3. After completing the above steps, the patient can proceed with the diagnosis of autism.

What is autism?

Autism is a neurological developmental disorder. Its exact causes are not fully known, but potential contributing factors include genetics, gene mutations, low birth weight, hypoxia at birth and older age of parents. Autism is more often diagnosed in boys than in girls.

Autism in adults

Although autism is often associated with childhood and is usually diagnosed at an early age, it is a disorder that lasts a lifetime. There is no treatment that completely cures autism, which means that many adults live with the disorder.

A diagnosis of autism in adulthood can pave the way to a better understanding of oneself and tailor appropriate forms of support and therapy. Therapy and support can significantly help people with autism to better cope with daily life, develop social and communication skills, and overcome the challenges of the disorder.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of autism is made using the ADOS-2 test, which is considered a standard and respected diagnostic instrument for identifying autism spectrum disorders. This test focuses on observing the behavior of children, adolescents and adults, and can determine whether symptoms of autism are present and to what degree compared to the norm for a given age group.

ADOS-2 consists of five independent modules tailored to different age groups, starting at 12 months of age and continuing through adulthood. During the diagnostic test, behaviors related to social communication, play and repetitive behaviors that are characteristic of autism are observed. The duration of the test ranges from 40 to 60 minutes, and the choice of the appropriate module depends on the age and ability of the test subject.

The ADOS-2 test can be administered to children, adolescents and adults with suspected autism, whether from parents, the school environment or doctors. It is also an option for adults who suspect Asperger's Syndrome in themselves and want to verify the diagnosis.

To ensure a reliable diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders, MindHealth Mental Health Centers uses the gold standard of diagnosis, which includes a detailed ADI-R developmental interview, a diagnosis of cognitive abilities and the ADOS-2 test. Once the diagnosis is completed, the diagnostician discusses the findings, and the cost of the ADOS-2 test includes a psychological opinion that summarizes the entire psychological diagnosis, analysis of test results and recommendations. This opinion complies with the regulations for special education evaluations.

How can an autism diagnosis improve quality of life?

We encourage all patients, parents and caregivers to take advantage of an autism diagnosis. An autism diagnosis is an important step in providing support and the best care for a person with autism. Here are some reasons why you should make this decision:

• Early diagnosis is the key to early intervention: the earlier we recognize the symptoms of autism, the sooner we can start appropriate therapies and support. This can significantly improve quality of life.
• Tailoring therapy and education: A diagnosis of autism allows specialists to tailor therapies and educational programs to meet individual needs. This means a better chance of reaching one's full potential.
• Understanding and acceptance: An autism diagnosis helps parents and caregivers better understand the behavior and needs of a person with autism. This can help increase acceptance and understanding, which is crucial for emotional support and further development.
• Collaboration with professionals: Diagnosis opens the door to working with a team of professionals, including psychologists, therapists, speech therapists and other experts. This means access to comprehensive care.
• Public awareness: A diagnosis of autism contributes to greater public awareness of the disorder. This leads to greater acceptance and support in society.

If you have any behavioral concerns or suspect that a loved one may have autism use our specialists.

How it works?

• From among the specialists' schedules, choose a convenient service date and add it to your cart.
• Pay attention to the information about the place of performance and the specialist performing the service - by clicking on his name, you can check, among other things, the specialties, the age of the patients you receive and the foreign languages he speaks.
• You will receive confirmation of your purchase at the email address you specify.
• It is not required to provide your PESEL number, but by using it you will reduce the time it takes to register your appointment at the reception desk.
• If you have additional questions, contact the helpline: 22 566 22 24.